pre amp vs compressor

[PhishPhan22]

Hello thumpers,
So I’m running with a 15 inch slanted ARRY Genzler Cab and the Megellan 800 head. I also use A fender jazz performer and a Spector Euro 5 with the darkglass preamp that comes in them now.

I am having issues with the Spector being so punchy on B an E Strings which is great but the rest of the notes are falling through the mix. I love what compressor do usually. I’ve been look at the darkglass luminal. But I want told by a pretty smart tech I might want to think of a preamp instead.

my goal is to just tighten up the sound an retain the thump, even out slapping, and then also it seems like my fx like
Phaser and Envelope filter don’t stick out and can barely be heard in the mix. The fender though does fine at this. Only reason I wouldn’t think preamp is cause I love the sound of my amp. I don’t want to take away what that genz magic is doing. So Any suggestions much help! Brands of pedals would be great to!

 

[Pat Harris]

Are you leaving the preamp on the bass itself flat? That would be the first thing I change.

If you are adding low end on the bass, that is going to impact your gain staging through the rest of your signal path. Most onboard preamps bump somewhere between 40 and 100Hz which in turn would help explain why your lowest strings are slamming and the rest sounds weak— assuming I’m understanding the issue correctly.

 

[The Nameless]

You can adjust pickup height to balance string to string output differences.

 

[Feral Feline]

... my goal is to just tighten up the sound an retain the thump, even out slapping, and then also it seems like my fx like Phaser and Envelope filter don’t stick out and can barely be heard in the mix. ...

Why is the tech telling you to get a preamp if you're already happy with your amp's tone? You like compressors, which support achieving your listed goals.

I'd suggest that the Phaser & EF problems should be dealt with as a separate issue, even if somewhat related, and others have already posted potential solutions addressing those problems.

Comps-wise...
I'll suggest the Empress compressor, since you like your tone as is, and it would even out slapping.
I'll suggest the Diamond compressor, for additional tone sauce that could further enhance what you already like about your tone and tighten up the sound, though perhaps not as effective at smoothing out slapping (depends, do you have a deft touch or are you as aggressive as Flea once was?)...

Check out the mega-compressor thread, check out Ovnilabs reviews. Researching will help you further narrow down your needs/wants/search.

While you're at it, check out the HPF threads [*ducks*]...

 

[bongomania]

Your bass and amp already contain good preamps. Charitably, maybe the “smart tech guy” meant that you could adjust the EQ on those preamps. This might be one of those cases where the EQ settings you like at home don’t work so well in the full mix.

Otherwise, as the others mentioned, you can adjust the pickup heights, or use compression.

 

[sean_on_bass]

Your bass and amp already contain good preamps. Charitably, maybe the “smart tech guy” meant that you could adjust the EQ on those preamps. This might be one of those cases where the EQ settings you like at home don’t work so well in the full mix.

Otherwise, as the others mentioned, you can adjust the pickup heights, or use compression.

This. That is a nice amp and likely can shape the tone to where it needs to be. Then there is a nice pre-amp on that Spector. Apparently the active preamp on that Spector has some sort of internal mid control too, along with bass/treble. Among all those adjustment points, should be able to get the balance that is needed.

 

[Tosh]

Seymour Duncan Studio Bass compressor.